95 Sable Transmission

I have a 1995 Mercury Sable having problems with the transmission. I will go great in reverse, and first, but doesn't want to go into second. When it hits about 15-20mph it just loses forward moevement. The rpm's will go up, but it won't engage the gear. Sometimes it will 'force' into second, but then it will do the same thing at about 30mph. All rev, no movement. I have been told it could be one of three things:
1. the speed sensor is bad
2. the transmission needs rebuilding
3. the transmission needs replacing
The mechanic who said to replace it says that rebuilding won't fix the 'problem', and that it will just go bad again in a couple of months.
The price differences in all this casues me to really wonder...
PLEASE... does anyone have any ideas, help, or suggestions?? (Besides the junkyard, that is just not an option at this time)
thanks
laura

Needs rebuilding or replacement, the 2nd gear clutch or clutch piston is fried.

There is no difference between a good rebuild and a replacement (which is almost always just a rebuilt transmission anyway, as Ford doesn't make your transmission anymore). If your mechanic thinks that a rebuild would be worse than a replacement, he's obviously not very good at rebuilding transmissions.

Needs rebuilding or replacement, the 2nd gear clutch or clutch piston is fried.

There is no difference between a good rebuild and a replacement (which is almost always just a rebuilt transmission anyway, as Ford doesn't make your transmission anymore). If your mechanic thinks that a rebuild would be worse than a replacement, he's obviously not very good at rebuilding transmissions.

Thank you very much for the input. It isn't 'my mechanic' but a couple of the several I have called and talked to. The best I can figure out is that they are telling me in this car & transmission the case will be warped, and rebuilding won't fix that. I was concerned because one of them was asking a lower price for replacing it, than for rebuilding... in my experience that just doesn't sound like a mechanic to go for the most economical solution.

Can you tell me how to figure out whether it is a 3.0, or a 3.8 V6, and whether the transmission is an AX4N, or AXODE? I have looked on the drivers door sticker, and if it is there it is in some code that I can't decipher. I know some cars ID it in their VIN number... does anyone have any ideas?

The engine was 'rebuilt' two years ago, the starter just got replaced before this happened, I am thinking by the time I spend the $1100 for the transmission I will have practically a new car. That is why I don't think junkyard is the answer.

Again I thank you very much for your answer and help. Any further insight into the car or this issue would be appreciated. I am still looking for someone to do the work, and not get hosed on it.

laura

I had a similar problem with my '97 sable. You didn't mention if it ever shifts into 2nd, if you let it warm up? The problem I had was that it would do the high thing and not shift into 2nd. I would pull over for a minute or two and then proceed without incident. It apparently had something to do with the expansion/contraction of one of the seals in the transmission. When the transmission was warm, no problems.

Anyway, the mechanic put some additive in the transmission, which had the effect of making the seals swell. This temporary fix worked for about 4 months, until I had the transmission replaced.

if your engine says "3.8" on top of it, its a 3.8, if it doesn't, its a 3.0.

You have an AXOD-E, AX4N wasn't introduced until '96